Portable ozonation apparatus for storing and purifying liquid

ABSTRACT

A portable ozonation apparatus for storing and purifying liquids includes a container having an opening for receiving a liquid and a treatment cap. The treatment cap is preferably detachably mounted to the container at the opening. Preferably, the treatment cap includes a main body portion having provided therein an electricity generating device and an ozone generating device. With this arrangement, un-purified liquid, such as water, is introduced into the container. The container is then inverted to bring the un-purified liquid into contact with the ozone generating device. At this point, the electricity generating device is activated to deliver an electrical current to the ozone generating device. Once powered, the ozone generating device produces ozone which is introduced into the liquid container. The ozone gas transforms un-purified liquid into a purified liquid suitable for consumption.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to the art of liquid purification devicesand, more particularly, to a portable ozonation apparatus for storingand purifying liquids.

2. Description of the Related Art

Filtration and disinfecting systems are employed to provide cleaner,safer water for drinking and other uses. Most portable filtrationsystems used for camping or hiking are pump-style systems which includea number of components that must be assembled before, and disassembledafter, each use. For example, many of the pump-style systems requireseparate containers, multiple hoses and pumps that must be routinelyconnected prior to each use and disconnected before packing the systemaway for travel. Many users have difficulty obtaining an adequate volumeof water from such systems due to clogged filters. In addition, filtersin such devices typically have limited life-spans resulting insignificant costs associated with maintaining the systems. The need forreplacement filters is of particular concern in disaster-type situationswhere potable water and spare filters are scarce.

In order to obtain an adequate volume of safe drinking water, chemicaldisinfectants, such as iodine and chlorine, are often utilized. However,chemical disinfectants can have a detrimental effect on the taste andsmell of the fluid. Thus, in order to provide an adequate water supplythat is both potable and appealing to the senses, other non-chemicaldisinfecting methods, such as ultraviolet radiation and ozonation, haverecently become more popular. Unfortunately, such systems are notusually designed for a user who is traveling, hiking or otherwise on themove.

Ozone is one of the strongest oxidizing agents that is readily availableand easily produced for use in treating fluid. Ozone is useful ineliminating organic waste and reducing color, odor and total organiccarbon. In addition, ozone kills bacteria, viruses and othermicroorganisms more effectively and more quickly then ultraviolet lightor chemicals, such as iodine and chlorine. Of course, the effectivenessof ozone treatment, as well as the processing time required fortreatment, is dependent upon the quality of the fluid being treated.High levels of sediment in the fluid may contain high levels of metals,organic fluid and carbons, which may require a longer ozone treatmentperiod.

Based on the above, despite the existence of water purification devicesin the prior art, there still exists a need in the art for an ozonepurification system. More specifically, there exists a need for aportable ozone purification system that is readily adapted to outdoor ortransitory settings and which can provide an adequate supply of potabledrinking water having both a pleasant taste and pleasant smell.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a portable ozonation apparatus forstoring and purifying liquids. The portable ozonation apparatus includesa container having an opening for receiving a liquid and a cap includinga self-contained ozone generating system. More specifically, the capincludes a main body portion having provided therein both an electricitygenerating device and an ozone generating device.

In further accordance with the invention, the electricity generatingdevice includes an activating mechanism and an output terminal connectedto the ozone generating device. The activating mechanism selectivelyestablishes a flow of electricity through the output terminal to theozone generating device. Preferably, the ozone generating deviceincludes an input terminal and is detachably mounted to the main bodyportion of the cap. Most preferably, when the ozone generating device isproperly seated, a circuit, connecting the input and output terminals,is completed. With this arrangement, un-purified liquid is introducedinto the container. The container is inverted to bring the un-purifiedliquid into contact with the cap and the ozone generating device. Atthis point, the electricity generating device is activated to deliver anelectrical current to the ozone generating device. Once powered, theozone generating device produces ozone which is introduced into thecontainer and diffused through the liquid. During a treatment period,the ozone transforms the un-purified liquid into a purified liquidsuitable for human consumption.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the electricitygenerating device constitutes a hand cranked generator. When operated,the hand cranked generator delivers an electrical current to the ozonegenerating device. In this manner, the portable ozonation apparatus doesnot require a separate power supply, such as a battery, thereby makingthe device extremely portable and adaptable to emergency situations. Inaccordance with another aspect of the invention, the cap is providedwith a plurality of threads designed to cooperate with correspondingthreads provided on standard drinking bottles such as those formed fromNalgene®.

Additional objects, features and advantages of the present inventionwill become more readily apparent from the following detaileddescription of a preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with thedrawings wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts inthe several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an upper, partial cross-sectional, perspective view of aportable ozonation apparatus constructed in accordance with the presentinvention; and

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the portable ozonationapparatus of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With initial reference to FIG. 1, a portable ozonation apparatus forstoring and disinfecting a fluid constructed in accordance with thepresent invention is generally indicated at 2. Ozonation apparatus 2includes a container 4 and self-contained ozone generating system in theform of a removable treatment cap 8. Container 4 is preferably formedfrom plastic, such as Nalgene® and includes a bottom wall portion 10 anda side wall portion 12. Side wall portion 12 extends upward from bottomwall portion 10 to a threaded neck portion 14 which defines an opening18. In a manner known in the art, bottom, side wall and neck portions10, 12 and 14 define an interior storage/treatment area 19 for receivinga fluid 21. Also shown in FIG. 1, a handle 25 is provided on side wallportion 12 to enable a user to readily grasp container 4 and activateozonation apparatus 2 in a manner that will be described more fullybelow. Finally, container 4 is shown to include a scale or level indicia27 which allows a user to determine how much fluid 21 is present withininterior storage/treatment area 19. As will be discussed more fullybelow, fluid 21 is initially a raw or non-potable fluid, however, aftertreatment, fluid 21 becomes a potable liquid suitable for consumption.

In accordance with the invention, treatment cap 8 includes a main bodyportion 30 having an exterior side wall 32 including a lower edgeportion 33 and a top wall 36 that define an interior cavity 37. Loweredge portion 33 is provided with a plurality of internal threads 40which are adapted to matingly engage with threaded neck portion 14 ofcontainer 4. Treatment cap 8 is also shown to include a power switch 44which, as will be discussed more fully below, enables activation ofozonation apparatus 2.

In further accordance with the invention, ozonation apparatus 2 includesan electricity generating device 54 mounted within treatment cap 8.Electricity generating device 54 preferably takes the form of agenerator which, in the embodiment shown, is operated by a hand crank58. More specifically, upon activation of switch 44 and rotation of handcrank 58, electricity generating device 54 creates an electrical currentthat passes to an output terminal 61. Output terminal 61 preferablyincludes both positive and negative electrodes (not separately labeled).However, it should be understood that one electrode, for example thenegative electrode, could be provided elsewhere in treatment cap 8.

In still further accordance with the invention, ozonation apparatus 2includes an ozone generator 72 that is detachably mounted withininterior cavity 37 of treatment cap 8. Ozone generator 72 includes amain body 74 having a first or threaded portion 75 and a second ordischarge portion 76. Threaded portion 75 includes an input terminal 79that is adapted to engage with output terminal 61 of electricitygenerating device 54 when ozone generator 72 is properly seated withintreatment cap 8. Input terminal 79 of ozone generator 72 can includeboth positive and negative electrodes or simply a single electrode witha second electrode, such as ground, being provided by upper threadedportion 75.

The present invention enables a user to readily and quickly purify anamount of fluid 21 stored within container 4. More specifically, uponplacing an amount of fluid 21, such as unpurified water, withincontainer 4, treatment cap 8 is installed over opening 18 with ozonegenerator 72 extending into storage/treatment area 19. At this point,container 4 is inverted, such as shown in FIG. 2, and switch 44activated. Once switch 44 is in the “on” position, hand crank 58 isrotated, causing electricity generating device 54 to power ozonegenerator 72. Once powered, ozone generator 72 outputs ozone gas,indicated by bubbles 100, through discharge portion 76. The ozone gasthen diffuses through fluid 21. More specifically, the ozone gas bubblesor diffuses through fluid 21 killing bacteria, microorganisms and thelike to quickly transform fluid 21 into a potable liquid. At this point,it should be understood that the portable ozonation apparatusconstructed with the present invention, provides for an easily operatedconvenient apparatus for purifying a liquid such as for camping,emergency situations and the like, without the need of chemical agentsthat might affect the taste and/or smell of the liquid.

Although described with reference to a preferred embodiment of theinvention, it should be readily understood that various changes and/ormodifications can be made to the invention without departing from thespirit thereof. For instance, while described as employing hand crankedgenerator, various other electricity generating devices such asbatteries can also be employed. In addition, while treatment cap 8 isshown to include an activation switch 44, in the case of a hand crankgenerator, the activation switch is not necessary but merely serves as aredundant system to ensure that ozonation apparatus 2 is notinadvertently activated. Finally, while the container is described asbeing formed from plastic, various other materials such as glass,stainless steel, aluminum, and the like components are also acceptable.In general, the invention is only intended to be limited by the scope ofthe following claims.

1. A portable ozonation apparatus for storing and purifying liquids comprising: a container having an opening for receiving a liquid; and a self-contained ozone generating system detachably mounted to the container at the opening, said self-contained ozone generator including: a main body portion including at least one side wall and a top wall that collectively define an interior cavity; an electricity generating device mounted in the interior cavity, said electricity generating device including an output terminal and an activating mechanism which selectively establishes a flow of electricity to the output terminal; and an ozone generating device detachably mounted to the main body portion, said ozone generating device being electrically connected to the output terminal of the electricity generating device wherein, upon establishing a flow of electricity to the output terminal, said ozone generating device produces an amount of ozone gas which is delivered into the liquid in the container.
 2. The portable ozonation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electricity generating device is constituted by a generator.
 3. The portable ozonation apparatus of claim 2, wherein the activating mechanism is constituted by a hand crank.
 4. The portable ozonation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container is formed from plastic.
 5. The portable ozonation apparatus of claim 4, wherein the container includes a bottom wall portion, a side wall portion and a neck portion, said neck portion including a plurality of threads.
 6. The portable ozonation apparatus of claim 5, wherein the main body portion defines a treatment cap including a lower edge portion, said lower edge portion including a plurality of threads adapted to matingly engage with the plurality of threads on the container.
 7. The portable ozonation apparatus of claim 6, wherein the ozone generator includes a main body having a first or threaded portion adapted to be connected to the treatment cap in the interior cavity and a second or discharge portion leading into the container.
 8. The portable ozonation apparatus of claim 7, wherein the threaded portion of the ozone generator is adapted to connect to the output terminal of the electricity generating device.
 9. The portable ozonation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ozone generator extends into container.
 10. A self-contained ozone generating system adapted to be detachably mounted to a container comprising: a main body portion including at least one side wall and a top wall that collectively define an interior cavity; an electricity generating device mounted in the interior cavity, said electricity generating device including an output terminal and an activating mechanism which selectively establishes a flow of electricity to the output terminal; and an ozone generating device detachably mounted to the main body portion, said ozone generating device being electrically connected to the output terminal of the electricity generating device wherein, upon establishing a flow of electricity to the output terminal, said ozone generating device produces an amount of ozone gas which is adapted to be delivered into a liquid.
 11. The self-contained ozone generating system of claim 10, wherein the electricity generating device is constituted by a hand cranked generator, said activating mechanism being a hand crank.
 12. The self-contained ozone generating system of claim 10, wherein the main body portion defines a treatment cap having a lower edge portion, said lower edge portion including a plurality of threads adapted to matingly engage with a container.
 13. The self-contained ozone generating system of claim 12, wherein the ozone generator includes a main body portion having a first or threaded portion adapted to be connected to the treatment cap and a second or discharge portion.
 14. The self-contained ozone generating system of claim 13, wherein the threaded portion of the ozone generator is adapted to connect to the output terminal of the electricity generating device.
 15. A method of purifying a liquid in a portable container comprising: introducing an un-purified liquid into the portable container; closing the portable container with a treatment cap having contained therein an electrical generating device and an ozone generating device; inverting the portable container causing the un-purified liquid to come in contact with the treatment cap; activating the electrical generating device to deliver an electrical current to the ozone generating device and cause the ozone generating device to produce ozone gas; and delivering the ozone gas produced by the ozone generating device into the container to transform the un-purified liquid into a purified liquid.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein transforming the un-purified liquid into a purified liquid includes bubbling the ozone through the unpurified liquid.
 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising: attaching the ozone generating device to the treatment cap such that an output portion of the ozone generating device extends into the portable container.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein attaching the ozone generator to the treatment cap completes an electrical circuit, with the electrical generating device enabling the ozone generating device to receive power.
 19. The method of claim 15, further comprising: activating a switch to complete an electrical circuit between the electrical generating device and the ozone generating device.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein the electrical generating device is activated through operation of a hand crank. 